6 New Josephine County Drug Court Graduates

Josephine County now has six new drug court graduates. The county held its 63rd graduation ceremony Friday. The county now has 367 total graduates from the program.

Posted: Dec. 8, 2017 6:40 PM

Updated: Dec. 8, 2017 6:42 PM

Posted By: Emma Balkenbush

GRANTS PASS, Ore. -- Josephine County now has six new drug court graduates. The county held its 63rd graduation ceremony Friday. The county now has 367 total graduates from the program.

Carol Stephens, Drug Court Case Manager, said the program helps drug offenders get the help they need through structure and consistency.

"They worked really hard to get to where they're at today. It's not a program that's easy for anyone to do, it takes a lot of perseverance, determination and accountability to get through it," Stephens said.

She said the graduates will now become mentors to others going through the process.

"They'll pick people up from the jail, come alongside people that are in phase one or two and give them help and understanding of what it's like because they've been there," Stephens said.

During graduation ceremonies, an award is presented to someone who has graduated and continues to help others. It's called the Scott Titzler award, which is named after the former Chief Deputy District Attorney for Josephine County. Friday's ceremony honored Titan Marval as this year's recipient.

Marval graduated from drug court several years ago after he was arrested using drugs and alcohol. He said he wants others to know a new life is out there if they are willing to work for it.

"It doesn't matter what family you're from or what you're background is. What matters is what you're willing to do from this point on," Marval said.